Mark
Driscoll's Seattle-based Mars Hill Church released a statement detailing its
side of the story in the current controversy involving Driscoll's recent Real Marriage (Thomas Nelson)
book co-authored with his wife, Grace.

“In
2011, outside counsel advised our marketing team to use Result Source to market
the Real Marriage book and attain placement on theNew York Times best-seller
list,” the statement read. “While not uncommon or illegal, this unwise strategy
is not one we had used before or since, and not one we will use again. The true
cost of this endeavor was much less than what has been reported, and to be
clear, all of the books purchased through this campaign have been given away or
sold through normal channels. All monies from the sale of Pastor Mark’s books
at Mars Hill bookstores have always gone to the church, and Pastor Mark
did not profit from the Real Marriage books sold either at the church or
through the Result Source marketing campaign.

"We
take stewardship at Mars Hill very seriously, and thus we pay very close
attention when accusations are made claiming that we are mishandling the money
received by our congregations’ tithes and gifts,” the statement continued. “We
voluntarily undergo an annual external audit, and public disclosure of our
audited financial statements is part of our commitment to accountability.

“The
BOAA [Board Of Advisors and Accountability] stands unreservedly behind Pastors
Mark Driscoll, Sutton Turner and Dave Bruskas as the executive elders of Mars
Hill Church,” the statement continued. “We deeply appreciate their endurance
through false accusation, their submission to authority,and their humility
where regrettable decisions from the past have come to light. We are thankful
to God for His grace, which is evident in all that he allows for our good and
his glory. We are confident that God is preparing Pastor Mark and the ministry
of Mars Hill Church for a great harvest of souls in the days ahead.”